But today Mourinho offered a heavily qualified defence of the misfiring £50million man.

He said: "He has a future, if he wants to improve.

"I think everyone wants to improve and Chelsea wants to improve. That's normal. He has a contract, he's professional and works hard for the team.

"We want him to score more goals. He wants to score more as well it's not just me. But yes, he has a future."

Torres has been a pale shadow of his Liverpool incarnation throughout his three years at Stamford Bridge and Mourinho admitted: "I think during his period here he had moments, some of them, important moments.

"But long periods, performing week-in, week-out, he's not had a lot. So stability in his performance he's not had.

"If you're talking about moments and important goals, despite not scoring a lot at Chelsea, he's always had these moment.

"I believe in these moments to the end of the season. So, yes, I trust in these moments.

"He's a good professional and he tries to do his best. People that give everything, you can never blame or complain about them.

"So he gives everything and is a good professional on and off the pitch, he tries his best.

"We want more, obviously. He's the first to want more. I respect him and he deserves to be respected. There's nothing more I can say."

Ashley Cole is back in the Blues squad although he is unlikely to displace Cesar Azpilicueta as Chelsea seek the win that would put pressure on Liverpool ahead of Sunday's game at West Ham.

But Mourinho is preparing for a revamp up front in the summer, insisting Chelse are prepared to play big money for a major striker.

He added: "I think Chelsea can spend £30m, £40m or £50m.

"Chelsea can't do that with four or five players and spending £250m. But we can do it with one player. That's possible for Chelsea, yes.

"I keep saying, Chelsea are in a process of rebuilding a new team with conditions not to finish 20 points behind the top side.

"We don't want to compete in the Europa League, we want to compete in CL. We do that by stability, not changing 12 players.

"Stability means keeping the best players and structure and trying to build. Part of your evolution is based on stability and part based on bringing a couple in during transfer window."